Social Work Job Titles: Complete List by Level and Setting -

Common social work job titles include Social Worker, Case Manager, Caseworker, Child Welfare Worker, Medical Social Worker, School Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Social Work Supervisor, Program Director and Director of Social Services. Support roles such as Social Services Assistant and Case Aide sit below the professional social worker titles.

Below are the main social work job titles grouped by level and setting, with what each role does. License names and requirements differ by state, so check your state’s social work board for the exact titles it recognizes.

Entry-Level and Support Social Work Titles

Social Services Assistant / Social Work Assistant: Helps social workers with paperwork, referrals, appointments and client follow-up.
Case Aide: Supports caseworkers with transportation, supervised visits and documentation.
Caseworker: Assesses client needs, connects people to services and benefits, and tracks progress, often in public agencies.
Case Manager: Coordinates care or services for a caseload of clients in health, housing, mental health or disability programs.
Family Support Worker / Community Outreach Worker: Works with families and neighborhoods to connect them with resources.

Professional Social Worker Titles

Social Worker: The general title for a professional who assesses clients, plans services and advocates for them.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): A license title used in many states for social workers with a master’s degree who are not yet licensed for independent clinical practice.
Clinical Social Worker: Diagnoses and treats mental, behavioral and emotional issues, usually through therapy.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): A clinical license title; in most states this is the license that allows independent clinical practice. Some states use other names, such as LICSW.

Social Work Job Titles by Setting

Child and family services: Child Welfare Worker, Child Protective Services Investigator, Foster Care Caseworker, Adoption Social Worker.
Healthcare: Medical Social Worker, Hospital Social Worker, Hospice Social Worker, Discharge Planner, Nephrology Social Worker.
Schools: School Social Worker, School Counselor and Social Worker, Attendance and Family Liaison.
Mental health and substance use: Mental Health Therapist, Psychiatric Social Worker, Substance Use Counselor, Crisis Counselor.
Aging services: Geriatric Social Worker, Adult Protective Services Worker, Long-Term Care Social Worker.
Justice system: Forensic Social Worker, Victim Advocate, Reentry Case Manager.
Community and policy: Community Organizer, Policy Analyst, Program Coordinator.

Supervisory and Leadership Titles

Senior Social Worker: Carries complex cases and mentors newer staff.
Social Work Supervisor / Clinical Supervisor: Supervises social workers’ cases and, in clinical settings, provides the supervision new clinicians need toward licensure.
Program Manager / Program Director: Runs a program, its budget, staff and outcomes.
Director of Social Work / Director of Social Services: Leads the social work department of a hospital, agency or nursing facility.
Executive Director: The top role at many nonprofit social service agencies.

How to Choose the Right Social Work Job Title

Use protected titles only when they apply. Many states restrict the title “social worker” and license titles such as LCSW to people who hold the matching degree or license, so check state rules before posting a job.
Name the setting. Medical, school and child welfare social work differ a great deal, and candidates search for those words.
Use “Case Manager” for coordination roles that do not require a social work degree or license.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest social work title?

For clinical practice, the independent clinical license (LCSW or the state’s equivalent). For leadership, Director of Social Work or Executive Director of an agency.

Is a case manager a social worker?

Not always. Some case managers are licensed social workers, but many case management roles are open to people with other degrees.

What is the difference between an LMSW and an LCSW?

In states that use both, the LMSW is a master’s-level license, while the LCSW is the clinical license for independent practice, which typically requires supervised clinical experience after the degree.

For related roles, see our lists of criminal justice job titles and education job titles.

Social Work Job Titles: Complete List by Level and Setting